The Amazing Guide to Eating All by Yourself

Frequent business travelers shouldn’t have any trouble at all with eating all by their lonesome, but the occasional traveler may find it terrifying. I’ve discussed this with enough people over the years to believe that “Eating in a Restaurant by Yourself” should be it’s own category of phobia in the DSM. I have learned the secret to it all. Are you ready?

Here’s what you do: eat at the bar. I know, it’s amazing in its simplicity. You do have to check and see if they have a full menu at the bar, but most places do so this isn’t usually an issue. What’s so great about eating at the bar?

1. You usually have a bartender and possibly other patrons to talk to. And
2. There is normally a TV you can watch.

If the place is pretty empty, the bartender will sometimes even give up the remote and you can watch whatever you want. You can’t beat that with a stick.

Eating at the bar at lunchtime sometimes isn’t an option. If this is the case, take a book, newspaper, work, whatever. It gives you something to besides eavesdrop on the table beside you.

Keep in mind that no one is staring at you. There is nothing to be so self-conscious about. If none of the above work, download Bejewled to your cell phone and play it the whole time you eat. If you’re anything like me, you’ll forget the rest of the room is there once you get in to the game action.